Machine for applying molding



Jan- 2l, 19.41` v D. J. cATRow 2,229,550A

MACHINE FOR APPLYING MOLDING Filed Feb. s, 195s 3 sheets-sheet 1 (Ajf. A TTORNE ya Jam 21, 1941f D. J. cATRow n 2,229,550

y MACHINE FOR APPLYING MOLDING l lli TT ORNE Y Si 4 Jan. 21, 1941. D, J, CATRQW 2,229,550

MACHINE FOR APPLYING MOLDING @wm ,L Ik' lla Ef 40 ,JP J0 i .l .NVENTOR Patented Jan. 21, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MACHINE Fon APPLYING MOLDING Application February 3, 1938, Serial No. 188,589

14 Claims.

This invention relatesto a machine for applying a pronged mounting strip to an inner trim upholstery panel.

Inner trim upholstery panels` of the type commonly used in motor vehicles and the like, and particularly on the inner sides of doors, usually comprise a cardboard backing `member to which is secured a layer of upholstery padding and an overlying finish fabric layer. It has been Sug- :o gested that the several layers of the panel be secured together inwardly of their edges by means of one or more pronged molding strips which are not only ornamental but serve to Stiifen the panel and prevent sagging of the padding l and fabric relative to the cardboard backing member.

It is the general object oi the invention to provide a machine for applying one or more molding strips simultaneously to an inner trim panel by forcing the prongs of the molding strips through the panel and clinching them over on the back side thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine oi the type mentio-ned which will force .the prongs of the molding strip to their extreme limit through the panel before they are clinched over.

Other objects are to provide means for releasablygripping the molding strips prior to the panel piercing operation and to provide means for automatically releasing and withdrawing the gripping means before completion of the piercing operation. p

Another object or the invention is to provide a machine which is adapted to apply a plurality of pronged molding strips toa panel simultaneously and in which the spacing of the strips and the position of the `strips on the panel can be readily adjusted.

o Anotherobject is to provide a machine which is rugged and simple in construction and which can be constructed uponany conventional power press.

OtherY objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following specification, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure` 1 shows a shuttle press of a type peculiarly adapted for use in applying the molding to an inner trim panel in mass production.

2` shows a plan view of the mechanism which when installed in a suitable press will appiy the molding, parts being broken away to show the interior construction.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional View taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line l4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken 5 on the line 5 5 of Fig. 2, parts being broken away for the purpose of clarity, showing the relative position of the parts when the machine is ready to begin a cycle of operation.

Fig. 6 is a View similar to Fig. 5, showing the 10 position of ythe parts after the upper head of the machine has moved down to a point where the. pressure plate engages the panel.

Fig. 7 is a View similar to Fig. 5, showing the position of the parts of the machine after the 15 prongs oi the molding strip have partially pierced the panel with the gripping jaws for the molding strip released but not retracted.

Fig. 8 shows a view similar to Fig. 5, showing the parts of the machine in the final stage of 2p operation, wherein the prongs have completely pierced the molding strip and have been clinched over and the gripping jaws have been retracted within the die opening.

Fig. 9 shows a perspectivelview of one form of 25 inner trim panel of the type to which the present invention relates.

Fig. 10 is a section taken on the line IIJ-i0 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a section taken on the line H-ll 30 of Fig. 9. Fig. 12 shows a modied form of themolding strip gripping mechanism and die.

Fig. 13 shows another modified form of the gripping mechanism and die. 5

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary plan View of the 3 structure sho-wn in Fig. 13.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly FigsoS, 10`and 11 thereof, there is shown ari inner trim panel indicated generally at Ii'iormed of a sheet of cardboard 2 upon which is laid a layer oi any suitabletype of upholstery padding 3. Overlying .the padding is a' layer of iinish fabric 4, which is of larger size than the backing member and extends over the edge'of the backing member and is secured to the back thereof, as shown best in Fig. l1, by any. suitable means such as an adhesive. y

Any form of pronged molding strip may be applied to the above described panel by means 50 of the machine of the present application, but 1 for purpose of illustration there is shownla mold-y ing strip indicated generally at 5 comprising an elongated sheet metal channel element 6 generally semi-circular in cross section in which 55 is crimped a base strip 1 from which is struck a plurality of prongs 8 placed at regular intervals along the strip. It is the purpose of the present machine to press the molding strip ,upon the inner trim panel until the prongs 8 completely pierce the panel whereupon they are bent or crimped over at the back side of the panel, as indicated at 9 in Fig. 11. Any number or arrangement of molding strips may be applied to the panel, the form of panel shown in Fig. 9 being provided with four strips.

Referring to Fig. 1, there is shown a shuttle ieed press of a type peculiarly adapted for use as the foundation of the machine of the present application. Briefly, `the press comprises a base IU and four uprights l I, one located at each corner of the base. An upper stationary head I2 is secured to the upper end of the uprights II by any suitable means, and the lower or movable head is formed of a central portion I3 and a pair of oppositely extending wings I4 and I5. A base plate I6 is carried on suitable ways lupon .the lower or movable head I3 in such manner that it may be slid horizontally from the central portion I3 of the movable head to either of the Wings I4 or I5 for loading purposes. The machine is provided with two such base plates with the result that while one is being loaded with the material to be acted upon by the press the press may be acting upon the material which is positioned upon the other base plate. Upon completion of this operation, the two plates are slid simultaneously in the same direction until the plate which carries the work upon which the press has already acted is located upon the opposite wing of the press, and the other base plate is located upon the central portion I3. Any suitable form of power press may be utilized in accordance with the present invention, and the Yabove described features and the details of construction of the shuttle feed press shown in Fig. 1 forms no part of the present invention, being shown in the copending application of Theodore Norton, Serial Number 111,657, led November 19, 1936.

Inaccordance with the present invention, suitable mechanism, best shown in Figs. 2 to 5, inclusive, is mounted upon the upper and lower heads I2 and I6 of the press for applying the pronged moulding strip to the inner trim panel. The structure which is mounted upon the lower or movable head or plate I6 includes a plate 20 Awhich is secured to the lower head or plate I6 by any suitable means, not shown, and upon which is mounted `a pair of molding strip receiving dies 22 whichare provided with any desired number of grooves 23 for reception of the molding strips, two grooves being shown for purpose of illustration on each die 22. As shown best in Figs. 3 and 4, the dies 22 are carried by a plurality of spaced blocks 24 which rest upon a plate 25, and the latter plate is slidably secured to the plate 2D by means of bolts 26 having enlarged heads 21 that fit suitable T slots 28 provided in the plate 20. For each die 22 three parallel T slots 28 are provided into each of which project suitable retaining bolts 26. The slidable connection between the dies 22 and the plate 20 permits an adjustment of the spacing between the dies and therefore the spacing between the molding strips on the resulting :inner trim panel.

As best shown in Figs. 2 and 5, dies 22 are providedr adjacent their ends with slots 30 through each of which project the jaws v32 and 33 of a gripping device for retaining the molding strip in a groove 23 of the die with the prongs 8 thereof projecting upwardly. In the form of die shown two grooves are provided in order that two parallel molding strips may be applied to the panel by a single die, and therefore the gripping mechanism is duplicated for each groove, as best seen in Figs. 2 and 5. Since the two gripping devices are identical in construction, only one need be described.

Each gripping device includes the aforementioned jaws 32 and 33, having downwardly depending shanks 34 and 35 respectively which are j'ournaled on a pin 36 carried by a transverse plate 31. The jaws are in the form of bell cranks having horizontally extending arms 38 and 39, respectively which project outwardly beyond the edges of the die 22. Suitable springs 40 are positioned between the outer extremities of the arms 38 and 39 and the plate 31 for urging the arms upwardly and thereby causing the jaws 32 and 33 to grip the molding strip. It will be apparent that upon depression of the outer extremities of the arms 31 and 38 relative to the plate 31 that the jaws will be released. The plates 31 are mounted for vertical sliding movement with respect to plate 25 on guide pins 40' carried by the plate 25 and projecting through suitable openings in plates 31. At each end of each plate 31 is provided a spring housing 4I containing a spring 42 which engages the plate 25. Springs 42 are stronger than springs 40 with the result that downward pressure on the arm extremities 38 and 39 of the gripping jaws willl effect release of the jaws without appreciable downward movement of plate 31. However, means hereinafter described are provided for depressing plates 31 during the prong piercing operation for the purpose of retracting the gripping jaws within the slots 36 y and below the upper surface of the die.

An open substantially rectangular frame 43 of approximately the same outside dimension as those of the plate 2B is resiliently supported in elevated position with respect to the plate 20 by means of coil springs 44 one of which is mounted at each corner of the open frame 43. As best shown in Fig. 4, the lower end of each spring 44 seats upon a boss 45 formed on the upper face of plate 20 which boss is provided with an internal bore 46 for the reception of the enlarged lower end of a guiding pin 41 which is threaded into the underside of the frame 43. The pin 41 guides the frame 43 for reciprocating movement towards and from the plate 20,

and movement of the frame 43 towards plate 2E!V is limited by engagement of the head 41a at the lower end of the pin 41 with the lower head plate I6 of the press when the frame reaches the position shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings. The springs and guide pins at the other three corners of the frame, not shown, are identical and need not be further described.

At opposite sides of the frame 43 there are provided four round headed bolts 48, the rotuid heads of which project above the frame 43 and are adapted to receive a mounting board 49 which may be of wood or any suitable stiff material. The mounting board 49 is provided with three or more locating brackets 50, as best shown in Figs. 2 and 4, for engaging the corners of an inner trim panel I and centering it upon the mounting board. The mounting board is also provided with suitable openings 52 adjacent the area upon the panel to which the molding strip aeeasso is to be applied. it is contemplatedr that a separate mounting board will be provided for each size and shape of inner trimrpanel, which mounting board will be suitably perforated adjacent the areas to which the molding strip will be secured. Accordingly, when the machine is to be used for applying molding strips to a giveninner trim panel the mounting board adapted to center that panel will be inserted in `the machine and held in position thereinr by means of the round heads on bolts 48. It will be observed that the inner trim panel I is mounted face downwardly on the mounting board 49 with the fabric side facing the prongs 8 of the molding strip, as best shown in Figs. 5 to 8 inclusive. When the panel is forced downwardly with respect to the plate 20 by means hereinafter described to cause the prongs of the molding strip to` pierce the panel suitable strips 53 secured along the edges of the openings 52 will successively engage first the outer extremities of the levers 38 and 38 to eifect release of the clamping jaws 32 and 33 and then the spring housings 4l on plate 31 to withdraw the gripping jaws fro-m the die openings 38, in the manner best shown in Figs. '7 and 8, respectively. The parts are so designed that the releasing movement of the jaws and their withdrawal from openings 38 will be effected after the prongs 8 begin to pierce the panel but before the completion of this piercing action in order that-the jaws will .not interfere with the completion of the piercing action or form a depression in the panel. Fig. 8 shows the parts in the position upon completion of the piercing action in which position the jawshave completely released `themo-lding strip and havebeen drawn downwardly until they nolonger project above the top surface of die 22.

To the upper or stationary head I2 of the press is secured in any suitable manner, such as by bolts, not shown, a plate 54 having permanently secured thereto a plurality of anvils 55 which, as best shown in Fig. 4, arepositioned above the upstanding prongs 8 of the molding strip. In the form of machine shown in the drawings the molding strip is provided with four prongs and, accordingly, four anvils are used. As shown best in Figs. 5 to 8, inclusive, the anvils are elongated transversely of the 'strip in order that they will engage the prongsregardless of the transverse adjustment of the prong supporting dies 22 in the T slots 28.

Means are provided for engaging the panel I and forcing the panel and its supporting frame 43 downwardly towards the prong molding strip in order to effect piercing of the prongs through the panel before the anvils 55 engage the ends of the prongs for clinching them over. In the form of construction shown in the drawings, this means comprises a pressure' plate 58. 'I'his plate in one dimension, as shown best in Fig. 4, is equal to thelength of the molding strip die 22 and in a direction transverse to the dies 22 is of suicient width to substantially overlap both dies 22 when they are adjusted to their maximum spacing, as rbestr shown in Fig. 5. At the' front and rear edges vof the pressure plate 58 suitable guide brackets 88, see Fig. 4, are provided for preventing fore and aft displacement of the pressure plate. While at opposite sides of the pressure plate guiding'and retaining blocks 62 are'provided for preventing lateral displacement in a sidewise direction and for limiting downward movement of the pressure plate with respect to the plate 54. Blocks 62 are secured to the plate 54 by any suitable means, such as cap screws 63, and the blocks are provided with inwardly projecting fingers 64 which engage beneath the projecting edge of plates 65 secured to the upper side of the pressure plate 58. As best shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5, recesses 66 are provided in the plate 54 for the reception of plates 65 in order that the pressure plate 58 may move into face to face Contact with the plate 54 when the press is operated. The plate 58 is also provided with a plurality of openings Bl of a suitable size and shape to receive the anvils 55 when the pressure plate moves upwardly relative to the plate 54. A plurality of helical springs 68, eighteen in number, are provided between the plate 54 and the pressure plate 58 for resiliently holding the pressure platel in advance of the anvils 56. The upper ends of these springs project through suitable openings in the plate 54 and engage the underside of the upper head I2 `of the press, While the lower ends seat in suitable recesses in the pressure plate 58, as best shown in Figs. 4 to 8, inclusive.

The machine operates. as follows: A mounting board 49 adapted to accommodate the particulaitype of inner trim panel I upon which it is desired to operate is placed in the machine and centered upon the heads of the bolts 48 before the operation is begun. The actual molding strip assembly operation is effected by first placing the desired number of molding strips in the recesses 23 of dies 22 and securing them in position by means of the clamping jaws 32 and 33. This may be effected by pressing downwardly upon the extremities of levers 38 and 38 to release the jaws or the upper extremities of the jaws may be tapered upwardly and outwardly, as shown in the drawings, in order that the molding strip may simply be pressed into the space between the jaws. When this is done the jaws will be forced outwardly against the action of the springs 40 and will thereafter be returned to clamping position by the springs. Thereupon an inner trim panel I is placed upon the mounting board 49 and positioned thereon by means of the brackets 58. If the press upon which the mechanism is mounted is of the shuttle feed type, as shown in Fig. l, the lower head or plate i6 oi the press which carries the molding strip and panel supporting mechanism will then be slid into position beneath the upper head I2 of the press until it assumes the position shown in Figs. 2 to 8, inclusive. It will be noted that in the type of press shown the upper head I2 is stationary while the lower head I6 is adapted to be raised by suitable hydraulic mechanism to effect the pressing operation. It will be apparent, however, that either one of these heads may be stationary and the other movable without affecting the operation of the machine.

When the press is started the head I6 is moved toward head I-2 from the position shown in Figs. 4 and 5 until the pressure plate 58 engages the upper surface of the panel I, as shown in Fig. 6. It will be noted that almost the entire area of the panel I is supported by the mounting board 4S with the result that upon further application of pressure to the panel by the pressureplate 58, the panel will be moved downwardly relative to the plate 20 without bending As the press heads move further towards each other from the position shown in Fig. 6, the pressure plate 58 will force the panel i, the

mounting board 49,'and theframe 43 downwardly towards the plate 20 against the action of 4springs 44 and during this movement the prongs 8 on all of the molding strips will be forced partly through the panel until the parts assume the position shown in Fig. 7, wherein strips 53 are just contacting spring housings 4I on plates 3l. During this portion of the movement the strips 53 on the underside of the mounting board t9 will have engaged the extremities of levers 38 and 39 and forced them downwardly to eiect release of clamping jaws 32 and 33, thus releasing the molding strip from the die 22 before completion of the piercing movement. It will be noted that at this point in the cycle the anvils56 are spaced from the prongs 8 because of the fact that the springs 58 which are of greater total strength than the total strength of the springs i2 will have effected the movement of the panel relative to the plate 25.

From the position of the parts shown in Fig. 7 the press heads continue to relatively move towards each other to complete the prong piercing operation and to withdraw the gripping jaws from openings 30. The jaw withdrawing movement is completed in advance of the completion of the prong piercing operation. Thereafter as the press heads continue to approach each other further movement of the panel and its supporting frame 43 toward the plate 20 is prevented by reason oi the engagement of the lower ends of the pins ll with the lower head It of the press. Accordingly, springs B8 are compressed, and the plate d and anvils 56 carried thereby move toward the panel I until the anvils 56 engage the prongs i and clinch them over in the manner shown best in Figs. 8 and 11.

Movement of the parts to the position shown iin Fig. 8 completes the operation ofl securing the molding strips to fthe panel, and :accordingly when the parts reach 4this position, the press is reversed, either automatically or by hand, and the head I5 moves downwardly :away from the head i2. During the iirst phase of the press head separating movement the parts return 'to the position shown in Fig. 7 in which the pressure plate 58 has moved downwardly to the lim-it of its movement relative -to the plate 55%. Upon further separating movement springs lll elevate the frame 43, the mounting Iboard 139, and the panel l relative to the molding strip die 22. During this movement, since the molding strips are then secured to the panel, the molding strips will ibe liilted youtfof the gripping jaws and away from the die. The arrangement of levers 38 and 3'9 is such that the panel moves upwardly :a sufficient amount to release .the molding str-ips from the gripping jaws loeiore the levers 38 and 39 are raised suidciently to close the gripping jaws upon the molding strip` The completion of the press head separating movement leaves Ithe panel and molding strip assembly freely `supported upon the mounting board t9 from which it may be readily removed.

In Fig. 12 is shown a modied form of molding strip die and gripping means assembly. As shown in this figure, the molding strip die l is similar in construction to the die 22 described in connection 'with fthe previous modificati-on, and i-s provided iwith a slot '12 for the reception of the .gripping `jawslwl'rich is similar to slot 4D of the previous emlbodirnent. vThe molding strip die 'lll is rigidly mounted upon and in spaced relation to a plate 13 inthe Isame manner that die 22 of the previous modication is mounted on plate 25; and plate 113 is mounted for vertical sliding movement with respect toa plate 14 within guide blocks 15. The plate 'M is mounted for horizontal sliding movement on .the plate 20 in the same mann-er that plate 215 of the previously described embodiment is mounted on the plate 20; see Figs. 1 to 8, inclusive. In this form of the invention the gripping jaws 16 and 11 are slidably mounted upon the plate Ii-3 and they are provided with laterally extending Shanks Bil and `812 respectively which extend outwardly beneath thev die 10, and |the grip-ping jaws are urged toward each :other .by means of springs 84 mounted within suitable openings in the Shanks 8l and 82. The outer ends of the springs 84 bear against spring seating elem-ents 86 which are adjustable by means of set screws 81 mounted in blocks 88 for the purpose of varying the spring tension. The lower portion oi the inner edges of the gripping jaws 16 and 11 are beveled at 9E! and Sli, respectively, to cooperate with the V-shaped end of a pin 92 which is xed to the plate 14 and slidably projects through av suitable opening in the plate 113 into engagement with the bevel-ed surfaces 90 land 9| for the purpose of separating the gripping jaws when the jaws and plate 13 are vforced downwardly. Suitable springs 94 are provided between the plates lf3 and N3 for normally maintaining the plate 13, vthe die 'I0 and the gripping jaws 'I6 and 11 in elevated position with respect to the plate 14.

In this form of the invention the parts operate in the manner previously described except that -after the prongs 8 of the molding strips have begun to pierce the panel, the gripping jaws, the die 'l0 `and the plate 13 will lbe forced downwardly with respect to the plate 114, thus causing the upper V-shaped end of the pin 92 4to force between and separate theA gripping jaws 16 and 1l. It should be notedthat it is immaterial when the release of the gripping jaws takes place so long as it occurs after the prongs begin to pierce the panel and before the prongs have penetrated to their full extent since once the piercing action begins the molding strip will :be held in position by the groove in the die and by the panel itself. The downward movement of .the gripping jaws. and die 10 is eiected by contact between the strip 53 (see Figs. ,1 to 8) on the mounting board 48 land the upwardly projecting spring housings .95 on plate 13, and this movement is so timed as to separate jawn 16 and 'l1 and release the molding strip before the prong piercing operation i's completed. I-n this 'forni of the invention, .as in the previous form, the panel and attached molding strip will lbe pulled away from thegrippihg jaws by springs i4 before the jaws re-engage the molding strip.

Inall respects kthe machine of Fig. 12, as a. whole, is like that shown and described in connection with Figs. 1 to 8, since pla'te I4 Iand the structure ,carried thereby are simply substituted for, the plate 25 and `the structure carried thereby in the machine of Figs. 1 to 8. It will be noted, however, that in this form of the invention the gripping jaws are Vnot retracted into the slot 12 of .die 10 during the piercing operation, as in the previous form.

In Figs.-13 yand 14 is shown ya further form of gripping device in the gripping action is 13) which corresponds and is idenltioal to the plate 20 oi Figs. l to y8. Howeverftheigripping jaws |00 and |0| for each molding which are pivoted upon a common pin |02 are oiset with respeot to each other along the length of the molding, as lbest sho-wn in Fig. 14. The pin |02 is carried :by a spring supported vertically movable plate |012' similar to plate 31 in Figs. 1-.8. The jaw |00 provided with a laterally eidtendinlg *arm |03 which is urged upwardly v"by means of a spring |04 mounted between 'the arm |03 and the plate |02. This spring is located within a suitable bore in a block |05, as best shown in Fig. 13. The gripping jaw |01 is provided with a similar laterally `extending arm |06 which extends along side of but is yolset with respect to the arm |05. A spring |01 mounted within a suitable bore in the underside :of the v,die 08 forces the farm |06, downwardly. llt is apparent that the .springs |04 and |01 tend to force the gripping jaws |00 and I 0| toward each other and into engagement with the molding strip. In this form of `lthe invention the inner undersides of the gripping portions of jaws |00 and 10| slope upwardly and inwardly with the result that when the panel and attached molding strip is pulled Lupwardly by means of springs 44, or when the grippingr jaws are moved downwardly 'by the engagement of plates 53 with the :spring bosses 4on plate |02', the molding will loe pulled free lof the gripping jaws. lThe molding may be inserted within the gripping jaws by either forcing it inwardly by action of the spring or by manually engaging the ends of the `levers |05 iand |06 to separate the jaws. In other respects the structure and opera-tion of this form lof the invention i-s similar to that previously described except that it will be noted that the jaws release automatically When plate |02 is forced downwardly with respect to A`die 018. The die 0B and the structure carried :by plate |012' are simply substituted for the die 22 and the structure carried by plate 31 in the machine of Figs. l to 8.

It is apparent Ithat there is provided in accordance with the present invention a relatively simple, rugged mechanism which can be constructed upon the conventional elements of any form of power press and which will quickly and electively apply `any number .of prong molding strips to an inner trim panel Vin any desired position or spacing upon the panel.

While several modiiloationsy of the structure are shown, it is apparent that others are available within the spirit of the invention and withinthe scope oi' the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. In a machine for applying a. pronged molding strip .to a panel, a die for receiving a molding strip, gripping means for holding said strip in position on said die, means for supporting a panel in position to receive the strip, means for causing relative movement between said die and supporting means to cause the prongs of said strip to pierce said panel from one side, means for clinching said prongs on the opposite side of said panel, and means operable after said piercing Aoperation has been initiated for releasing said gripping means.

2. In a machine for applying a pronged molding strip to a panel, a die for receiving a molding strip, gripping means resiliently urged into engagement with said strip for holding the same on said die, means for supporting a panel in position to receive a strip, means for causing relative movement between said die and supporting means to cause the prongs of said strip topierce said panel from one side, meansV operable after said piercing operation has been initiated` for releasing said gripping means, means for clinching said prongs on the opposite side of said panel,

and means for separating said panel and attached strip from said `die before said gripping means Vvis retmfned to its molding strip gripping position.

3. In a machine for applying a pronged molding strip to a panel, a die for receiving a molding "L strip, resilient gripping means for holding said molding strip in position on said die, means for supporting a panel in position to receive the strip, means for causing relative movement between said die andsupporting means to causer` the prongs of said strip to pierce said `panel from one side, and means for clinching said prongs on the opposite side of said panel.

4. In a machine for applying a pronged molding strip to a panel, a die for receiving a molding strip, resilient gripping means for holding said molding strip in position on said die, means for supporting a panel in position to receive the strip, means for causing relative movement between said .die and supporting means to cause the prongs of said strip to pierce said panel from one side, means for clinching said prongs on the opposite side of said panel, and means for pulling `said panel and attached strip away from said resilient gripping means upon completion oil the clinching operation.

5. In a machine for applying a pronged molding strip to a panel, a pair of members the iirst of which is movable toward and away from `the second, a die carried by one of said membersfor supporting a pronged molding strip with the prongs projecting toward the other vmember, gripping means for holding said `molding strip on said die, an anvil carried by the other member in alignment with one of said prongsy i means for supporting a panel intermediate said die and anvil, resilient means between said panel and said other member for holding said panel in spaced relation to `said anvil until the prongs pierce said panel, said resilient `meansbeing adapted to yield upon completion of the piercing operation to permit said anvil to clinch said prongs, and means for releasing said gripping means lafter the prongs have begun to pierce said panel.

6. In a machine for applying `a. pronged molding strip to a panel, a pair of members the first of which is movable toward and away from the second, a die carried by one of said members i for supporting a pronged molding strip with the prongs projecting toward the other member, a gripping device resiliently urged into engagement with said molding stripfor holding the same into the die, an anvil carried by theother member in alignment with one of said prongs, means for` supporting a panel intermediate `said die and anvil, resilient means between said panel and said other member for holding said panel gripping "mechanism upon completion ofA the clinching operation. s

'7. In a. machine for applying a pronged molding strip to a panel, a pair of members the rst of lwhich is movable toward and away from the second, a die carried by one of said members for supporting a pronged molding strip with the prongs projecting toward the other member, means for resiliently gripping said molding strip and holding it on said die, an anvil carried by the other member in alignment with one of said prongs, means for supporting a panel intermediate said die and anvil, and resilient means between said panel and said other member for holding said panel in spaced relation to said anvil until the prongs pierce said panel, said resilient means being adapted to yield upon completion oi the piercing operation to ,permit said anvil to clinch said prongs.

8'. In a machine for applying a pronged molding strip to a panel, a pair of members the first of which is movable toward andy away from the second, a

die carried by one of said members for supporting a pronged molding strip with the prongs projecting toward the other member, means for resiliently gripping said molding strip and holding it on said die, an anvil carried by the other member in alignment with one of said prongs, means for supporting a panel intermediate said die and anvil, and resilient means between said panel and said other member for holding said panel in spaced relation toy said anvil until the prongs pierce said panel, said resilient means being adapted to yield upon completion of the piercing operation to permit said anvil to clinch said prongs, and resilient means between said one member and panel supporting means for moving said panel away from said die, and thereby pulling said strip out of said resilient gripping means.

9. In a4 machine for applying a pronged molding strip to a panel, a pair of members the iirst of which is movable toward and away from the second, a die carried by one of said members for supporting a pronged molding strip with the prongs projecting toward the other member, a plate having an opening therein positioned between the other member and said die, resilient means between said plate and said other member for forcing said plate and a panel engaged thereby towards said die when said members move toward each other, said plate opening being located opposite a prong in vsaid molding strip, and an anvil carried by said other member and adapted to project through said opening as the members move toward each other and after the prongs have pierced said panel to clinch the end of said prong. Y

10. In a machine for applying a pronged moldingstrip to a panel, a mechanism for holding the molding-strip comprising a supporting member upon which the strip is adapted to rest with the prongs projecting away from the member and a 'aeaaseo vgripping device for releasably engaging and holding sai-d strip in position on said member, said gripping device including a pair of spaced jaws movable toward and away from each other, and resilient means for urging said jaws into engagement.

11. In a machine for applying a pronged molding strip to a panel, a member upon which the strip is adapted to rest with the prongs projecting away from the member, a second member for holding a panel in position to receive said strip, one of said members being movable toward the other, a gripping device for releasably engaging and holding said strip in position on said rst mentioned member, said gripping device including a pair of spaced jaws movable toward and away from each other, resilient means for urging said jaws into engagement, and means operable upon movement of. said movable member for separating the jaws and releasing the molding strip.

12. In a machine for applying a pronged molding strip to a panel, a member upon which the strip is adap-ted to rest with the prongs projecting away from the member, a second member for holding a panel in position to receive said strip, one of said members being movable toward the other, a gripping device for releasably engaging and holding said strip in position on said first mentioned member, said gripping device including a pair of spaced jaws movable toward and away from each other, resilient means for urging said jaws into engagement, and means operable after said prongs have begun to pierce said panel and before the completion of such piercing operation for separating the jaws and thereby releasing the molding strip.

13. In a machine for applying a pronged molding strip to a panel, a pair of members one of which is movable toward and away from the other, a pair of dies each adapted to support a pronged molding strip, each of said dies having means connecting it to one of said members for adjustment transversely of the strip and inde-k pendently of the other die, and anvil means carried by the other member for engagement with the prongs on said strips in all positions of adjustment relative to said one member when one of said members moves relative to the other.

14. In a machine for applying a pronged molding strip, a die ior'receiving a molding strip,

means for holding said strip in position on said die, means for `supporting a panel in position to receive the strip, meansfor causing relative movement between said die and supporting means to cause the prongs of said strip to pierce said panel, and means withdrawing the gripping means out oi the way ofsaid panel after the piercing operation is initiated and prior to completion of the y,

piercing operation. Y

' DAVID J. CATROW. 

